Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World

Name: Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World
SKU: 79434
Availability: InStock

4.6 | 461 ratings

Price: 15.75

Last update: 06-15-2024

Top reviews from the United States

Murasaki-shikibu

Inspirational book for all!

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024

I have never read a book that made me laugh, cry, and nod my head as much as this book did! Whenever I opened this book, I felt like I was returning to a good movie that I left off for a quick bathroom break. Any time one of my family members tried to talk to me in the house while I was reading, my response was "I'm watching a movie right now. Later." without even raising my head.

Mr. Cooper is not only a birder but also loves comic books and sci-fi, and he references those in the book. I'm not big into comic books, and my sci-fi knowledge is limited to the super elementary level of Star Wars. Those references made me feel clueless as I was not 'getting' them. BUT I'm a birder. I loved all the references he made of birds and they cracked me up every time.

I also enjoyed reading about his interaction with fellow birders while birding on the field (as I'm a solo birder and never really have an opportunity to observe other birders' behavior on the field). I was also humbly touched by learning about his life-long personal journey of being an African American birder/nature enthusiast and African American gay individual in the U.S., as well as outside of the U.S.

Last but most importantly, I admire the way he lives his life by staying grounded and being true and honest to himself and society. In this day and age (in my opinion, fame and greed are overly glorified by the fast-growing power of social media), it's extremely rare to find someone like him.

JD Morales Writes

Fascinating, a Wondrous Journey

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023

Every once in a while, I try to read outside my preferred genre wheelhouse. It reminds me there's more to storytelling than violence, mild blasphemy, and frequent (yet artful) swearing.

This is maybe the second memoir I've ever read. The author is a birder, a (former) Marvel Comics writer, and all 'round geek/nerd. (As I'm both an animal lover and a geek/nerd, I'll say this one does feel like it's wheelhouse-adjacent, at least.)

And the writing is so damned tight (not to mention elegant, insightful, and funny) that it inspires me to do better.

Halfway through reading Cooper's book, I feel like I really know the guy. And my life is richer for it.

Joseph C. Rook

chapter 12

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024

With the exception of the discussion of his Marvel employment, an enjoyable read. Chapter 12 has profound lessons for all of us, and is superbly written.

superbly written

Kindle Customer

A book written from the soul

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024

This book is extremely entertaining. Cooper poetically ties in the birds to an autobiography written from the soul. I highly recommend this book to birders and non-birders alike.

Joyce Boyer

I learned so much!

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023

Cooper’s writing is simple and uncomplicated. He enhanced any superficial knowledge I had about many subjects like birding, living in New York, education, life as an African American and as a gay man, a comic book enthusiast, and as a traveler, son, friend and curious person. All these disparate subjects and how they have affected his life come up and are discussed along with his background and genuine interest in the world around him and without over explaining.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and will recommend it to friends.

Kim K.

Excellent read

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023

Most of us know Christian Cooper as the Central Park Birder confronted by the dog walker, but this book really introduces him to us. I love that he told his story. I was interested in reading this book because I’m a backyard birder, but the book is so much more than a bird book. I love the travel stories, and reading about his family and love life, and just reading how he lives his life. I went from wanting to read about “the incident”, to getting to that point in the book and not wanting to read it. You don’t want that ugliness to happen to any human, and definitely not to one who became your friend through these pages. Excellent book, Chris - keep writing!!!

Amazon Customer

Better Living Through Birding

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024

Meaningful, we all have a story to tell

Vicki Merkel

Not just about Birds.

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024

this book is about much more than birds. It is about much much more than the Cental Park incident. It’s about a man who loves going birding. He is a black man. He is a gay man. He is a man who loves to travel. He is a man with a complicated family. He is a good writer.
He weaves his love bird throughout his totality of being.

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